Leicester City are revamping their football structure in a major shake-up, with under-fire director of football Jon Rudkin set to move ‘upstairs’.
The Championship side are aiming to hire their first-ever technical director in what signals a deliberate shift in direction for owner Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha.
Relegated twice in three campaigns, Leicester’s hierarchy has faced intense criticism from supporters over the club’s framework in recent years.
Rudkin, a former academy staff member, has become the central figure of blame following a chaotic era in the club’s timeline.
Telegraph Sport understands that although Rudkin remains an influential member of the club’s leadership, the intention is to bring in a new technical director to oversee recruitment and scouting.
Leicester have accepted that the organisation needs greater experience, knowledge and staffing, with other football departments also set for restructuring.
While Rudkin will keep the director of football title, the arrival of a technical director feels highly significant.
Typically, a technical director handles the overall management and long-term planning of a club’s football operations, supervising recruitment, coaching development, analysis, sports science and broader strategy.
The incoming hire will be expected to collaborate closely with Martyn Glover, Leicester’s head of senior recruitment.
Srivaddhanaprabha is heading the hiring process, and the hunt for a new technical director is already active.
Leicester are willing to pay compensation for any preferred candidate currently employed elsewhere.
The club will also look to strengthen other leadership roles, including a new chief executive and commercial director.
Srivaddhanaprabha, the club’s chair, is currently Leicester’s interim chief executive following Susan Whelan’s exit last month.
He is due to address fans in an interview that will be released on Leicester’s official platforms later on Friday.
Clear indication Leicester admitting previous errors
Discontent has been growing among Leicester fans for at least three years, after two relegations and difficulties complying with financial regulations.
Protests and chants demanding reforms have been common. Last weekend, the push to remove Rudkin crossed a line when a small group of fans at Norwich sang offensive songs, prompting Leicester and supporter groups to release a statement.
Despite that ugly incident, the desire for change has remained strong among the majority of supporters. There has been enormous disappointment over what is seen as the decline of the club.
Premier League champions in 2015/16, Leicester also secured their first-ever FA Cup in 2021 and made the Champions League quarter-finals.
Under Brendan Rodgers, Leicester also featured in the Europa League and inaugural Conference League, and recorded back-to-back fifth-place finishes.
Rudkin could fairly claim that those achievements came during his spell as director of football, following his appointment in December 2014.
However, the club’s relegation in 2023 triggered a worrying downward spiral and resulted in fierce disputes with both the Premier League and Football League.
Leicester have recorded combined losses of over £200m across the three-year cycle ending June 30, 2024. Profitability and sustainability rules [PSR] permit a maximum loss of £81m in that timeframe, with certain deductions applied.
Rudkin has faced intense scrutiny for supposed overspending, mishandling of contracts and a complete lack of public communication.
In fact, no senior Leicester executive outside of the coaching staff has spoken with UK media since shortly after the title win more than nine years ago.
This is, finally, a clear sign that Leicester acknowledge their football structure is flawed or, at the very least, capable of functioning far better. The objective is to reinforce the club across all departments.
Srivaddhanaprabha’s upcoming interview with club media is also a positive step, amid claims that Leicester have failed to communicate properly with supporters.
The search for the club’s first-ever technical director is already underway.
While some fans will remain doubtful over Rudkin’s continued involvement, his move ‘upstairs’ implies that more duties will shift to new hires.
It is understood that despite the sweeping changes planned, Rudkin is still considered vital to the club’s daily operations and long-term plans.
Leicester currently sit 12th in the Championship, four points off the play-off spots.